Massachusetts biotechnology company Moderna appears to be leading the way in its effort to create a vaccine for the coronavirus.
In fact, their stock soared “as much as 39% to record highs in early Monday trading” according to Business Insider amidst encouraging results from their early human trials.
Eight participants who were given “low and medium doses of Moderna’s vaccine had blood levels of virus-fighting antibodies that were similar or greater than those in recovered COVID-19 patients,” the Washington Post reported. “That suggests, but doesn’t prove, that it triggers some level of immunity.”
Another 17 people in the trial had an immune response that registered at a level similar or greater than patients who’ve recovered from COVID-19. However, scientists haven’t yet tested if the antibodies they produced actually neutralized the coronavirus.
Companies and countries across the world are in a race to create a vaccine that can be mass distributed as soon as possible. But vaccine experts have noted that while accelerated timelines are theoretically possible, they are “extremely optimistic,” as so many phases are required before a vaccine is safe to be distributed to the public.
NBC medical correspondent Dr. John Torres elaborates on the vaccine phases and projected timelines in a TODAY interview with Hota Kotb.
